The Reverend Simione Tugi, general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches, delivered a compelling message regarding the role of churches in community outreach. During his address, he emphasized the importance of churches extending their services beyond their congregations to reach those who are most in need. He expressed disappointment that many congregations remain insular and overlook the crucial task of addressing social issues.
The Reverend Tugi argued against the notion that churches should leave social matters solely to the government, insisting that these issues also affect the lives of their members. He urged churches to practice what they preach by engaging with the less fortunate in society, expressing concern about the current state of church involvement in addressing community challenges.
In a related initiative, the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, the largest Hindu organization in the country, has called on its members to dedicate time to raising awareness about drug abuse. This appeal coincides with the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami, where Sabha national president Dhirendra Nand encouraged congregations to allocate 10-15 minutes after their regular activities to educate attendees about the dangers of drugs and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Religion plays a significant role in the lives of many Fijians, serving as a source of spiritual guidance and ethical motivation. Tugi believes that religious organizations possess the potential to make impactful contributions to addressing national problems, such as drug abuse and the increase in HIV cases. The involvement of faith leaders like Tugi and Nand in tackling these social challenges is a promising development, highlighting the importance of engagement and commitment in finding solutions.